new year resolutions

Hey @Indigo_blue 

I'm hoping to carve out more time for the hobbies that I used to really enjoy! Specifically, I started running consistently in 2023 and found that it was super beneficial to my mental health, but as uni got really hectic in 2024, it just wasn't something I could manage to fit in regularly. I'm planning on starting off slowly with just 1-2 shorter runs per week and working up to more frequent and longer runs. I find that easing into things is really beneficial, and celebrating the small wins helps me keep going! I've also found that taking the time to acknowledge and be proud when I achieve those small goals is really motivating. 

All the best and happy new year!

Hi @Indigo_blue,

Great post! My resolution for this year is to practice more self care. This is as I can get so wrapped up in working sometimes that I don't carve out the time to do some of my favourite things. For example, I really enjoy the small things, such as grabbing lunch with a friend, reading a book, or playing with my dogs. 🐶 I find it helpful to make a list of what I like to do and slowly make my way through it in the weeks that lie ahead. 

However, it's important to acknowledge that sometimes life can throw us some curveballs so it's totally ok if the goals we set for ourselves aren't consistently maintained. All that matters is that you're doing your best! 😊

Also, wishing you a happy new year and am sure you'll achieve great things!

All the best 😊

I think SMART goals are a good way to make new years resolutions. SMART goals being Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-based. In particular, I mostly like to make sure my goals are attainable. A couple years ago I said that I would give up soft drink for the whole year, and only made it about two to three months or so. I knew it wouldn't be realistic and was disappointed when I didn't manage the full year. If I were to do it this year, I would draft a version of it that's more realistic to what is manageable for me.

I am hoping to start prioritising myself over others and staying strong with reading at least 30 books this year!

Hello @Indigo_blue ,

First of all, as with @Calming_Waves and @Scarlet_Locust , I would like to wish you a Happy New Year and I hope you had a wonderful celebration as well 😊.

Same with @Scarlet_Locust , I'm don't really make new year resolutions myself 😅 and I typically plan out my time in regards to what I need to do or have to achieve in a specifc time ( for instance, I had to write a thesis last year so I set tasks and steps in regards to this goal). Like @Calming_Waves and @Appel_banappel , I also have goals that are a continuation of what I have done last year albeilt I don't consider mine a new years resolution more like a new active hobby (e.g. I have recently picked up Auslan and I set some tasks I ought to do for them).

Apart from what already been mentioned by everyone here ( simple and realistic is definitely the way to go as @Calming_Waves has beattifully mentioned), I feel like a key thing for me would be to make sure that my schedule is rather flexible. As mentioned by @Calming_Waves , goals can be refined and changed as you go on and that could be said on how you achieve it as well, to me it doesn't have to be overly rigid and you can have some leeway on how much you do for the day or week depending on changing circumstances.

For instance, during my thesis wrting, there were a lot of time where I had to readjust my schedule because I got feedback from my supervisor so my priority had to shift from what I was currently doing (maybe like calculating stats) to what she suggested instead ( changes to my introduction paragraph). This is something I met quite a bit and eventually I learned to keep my schedule flexible and think up some back-up options for when I can squeeze in my time for the task that I miss out on (stat calculation).

Finally, the last thing that I would like to share would be some potential options on how you would like to visual your tasks to reach your goals. Personally, I'm a person that just writes up what I would do in either a planner or on the notes app and the tasks written out would be what I plan to either do or achieve for the day.

However, I find that some of my friends enjoyed making a Gantt Chart to help visual this process and it keeps them more organised as well. I myself can't really vouch for it ( since I tried it and it wasn't really for me 😅) but I felt like I'll share it since it might be helpful to you.

Here is a link to a detailed tutorial on how to make one in Excel on youtube if you are keen (it is a bit fast so you might want to set it on 0.5-0.75 speed):

How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel

In any case, I hope this was helpful and I can't wait to see what other people suggest next 🤩

Happy new year @Indigo_blue !!

I think the start of the new year can be a really lovely time to think about creating positive change in our lives - there's something special about the idea of a clean slate I think. 

I'm not really one for resolutions usually, but I do love a bit of gentle goal setting, so i'll put in my two cents here anyway 😂. I like to frame goals in a positive way usually, and I think this can be a great way to encourage positive self-talk too! For example, something i'm focussing on at the moment is doing a bit of exercise, and I like to frame this as 'move my body more in a way that makes me feel strong and capable' as opposed to 'exercise more'. Another example might be focussing on eating better and i'd phrase this as 'eat more things that taste delicious and nourish my body' as opposed to 'eat less junk food'.

I also totally agree with @Calming_Waves that simple and realistic is best! Although setting ambitious goals is fun, it often leads to more negative than positive feelings if they're not quite attainable.

Would love to hear what you come up with!! 😀

Hi @Indigo_blue,

First off, happy new year! I hope you had a wonderful celebration 😊

For new year resolutions, I like to keep them simple and realistic. For me, new year’s resolutions aren’t things that I should completely change but are a continuation of what I’ve already planned/started last year. I would reflect on what I have done and haven’t done in the previous year and think if it is realistically possible to do it this year while considering the plans I already have. For example, I plan to finish at least half of my driving lessons this year because I wasn’t able to do it last year due to being full-time at uni.

I also think that goals can come as you go through the year. Like, you don’t have to think about all of them now, new goals will automatically come up as the year progresses. So I think a few, basic, and general goals may be good for now and then you can refine it throughout the year 😊

Best of luck and here’s to hoping for a very good year ahead!

Hi @Indigo_blue 

For me, I like to base my resolutions off what I felt was lacking or needed to improve in the previous year, or just a continuation of something I was building on last year. Once I have an idea of what that goal is, I like to turn it into an actionable goal with a set plan so I can actually figure out how to attain it. The most common method is to make SMART goals, which stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound goals.

For example, I want to procrastinate less so I've set a goal to finish all my assignments a day early, which also means I need to plan what I'm going to do as soon as I get my assignments, time block doing that work right from the start and keep track on whether I have done enough work before the due date.

I always like to only have a few goals for the year so I don't get overwhelmed and break any other goals down into smaller, monthly goals. I usually try and have one goal for a significant aspect of my life, such as a goal for health, study and social. 

There's so many ways to make resolutions or goals but personally I think the most important factor on whether I complete them is how concrete and actionable they are.

Good luck on figuring out and hopefully completing your resolutions. Don't forget that small, consistent steps will always take you forwards and happy new year!